August 4th ~ August 6th was the Hachioji Festival. On the last day, the 6th, students from our school volunteered at the Sri Lanka and Myanmar booths at the "Multicultural Coexistence Photo Exhibition" held at Tokyo Tama Mirai Messe. It was ✨ very fulfilling, with exhibitions of paintings and photographs, and experiences of playing musical instruments.

A fireworks display was held at Fujimori Park in Hachioji on July 29th! It was about a 15-minute walk from the school, so the students were able to see it up close, and they were 😊 all very impressed and sent us a lot of photos.

A 10-minute walk from the school, I bought tokoroten at a konjac shop founded in 1881 (Meiji 14). Tokoroten is very cheap at 376 yen for 3 pieces, and you can buy it freshly. You can use a special stick to cut it into thin pieces on the spot, or you can buy a stick and go home. Since it was a big deal, I bought a stick this time and went home! It was my first experience making tokoroten and it was very interesting! And the taste was the best I've ever eaten. There was no smell, and it was delicious with a refreshing flavor. International students are often surprised that many Japanese foods use seaweed. Because it is healthy, some people get addicted. Please eat cold tokoroten and get through the hot summer.

For the first time in a long time Hachioji festival will be held! This year it will be August 4th~6th. The fireworks festival will take place in Fujimori Park on July 29. This fireworks can be seen 😊 from the school, and on August 6th, our students will volunteer to help with the multicultural coexistence booth. Please come and Hachioji!

As a field trip, I went to the "Kan Clean Center" that was just built in Hachioji last year. 15 minutes by bus from Takao Station. It is located in a green place. The facility is very clean and spacious, with modern systems for processing garbage. The facility information was available in various languages, so even foreigners could understand it. You can see trucks entering the facility and garbage being collected live. There were also separate quizzes, and the students were able to have a lot of fun learning.

Tanabata is coming soon. The signboard of Hachioji Station and the plaza in front of the station are also decorated for Tanabata. Our school also made Tanabata decorations. The ones we make will be decorated in collaboration with the ballet studio next door. Children attending ballet studios can read the wishes of international students, and students can learn what wishes Japanese children are making. It's a small thing, but it's a good opportunity to interact with the community.

In front of Hachioji Station, there is a shopping street called "U Road". This is a road where cars do not pass, so it is very good for walking. Ulord has frequent events. The photo shows the pottery market. This time, the Tanabata Festival will be held on holidays. On Saturdays and Sundays, there are events by Geiko, and you can experience Japanese culture, which is popular with students. The shops in the shopping street are also unique and very fun, so please come and visit us.

A classic way to spend your holidays. I took a walk around the local Mt. Takao in the morning and put my hands together to get rid of the evil at the Yakuo-in in the middle of the mountain.

Today, I would like to introduce the Indonesian restaurant "Kutabari Cafe", which is a 5-minute walk from Hachioji Station. Our students often go there. You can enjoy authentic Indonesian cuisine. Students say that because it is halal food, they don't have to worry about anything when eating with their classmates. The spiciness of this dish can also be adjusted, so even people who don't like spicy foods can eat it. I thought 😊 the noodles were very tasty

A new sake brewery has opened a 5-minute walk from Hachioji Station! It seems that it has not been commercialized yet, but it seems that it will develop steadily with the opening of a store in the future. It is very rare to have a sake brewery near the station and in a bustling city. It is also a good opportunity for international students to learn about Japan's traditional sake in a familiar place.

A 15-minute walk from the school is a shrine related to Tokugawa Ieyasu's vassal "Okubo Nagayasu". Okubo Nagayasu is famous for creating the city of Hachioji, and it is said that it was also featured in Buratamori. Events related to Okubo Nagaan are frequently held here. It will also be held on June 17th, so if you are nearby, please go there. Since there are many historical buildings in Hachioji, we sometimes study history in class before visiting. Our school teaches not only about Japanese, but also about the region, about the history of the Japan.

I went to the "Mucha Exhibition" held at the "Dream Museum", which is a 15-minute walk from Hachioji Station. I visit the Dream Museum several times a year, but the Mucha exhibition had more male visitors than other exhibitions. I wonder if there are many men who want to do beauty paintings. I have seen the Mucha exhibition at other museums before, and although the scale is small, there are many famous works, and not only paintings but also those printed on the packages of sweets of the time were exhibited, and the content was substantial. I was also happy that it was possible to take pictures inside the museum. There are plenty of goods, and I bought a lot of them. This Hachioji Dream Museum can be viewed for free for junior high school students and younger. In addition, the annual passport is quite reasonable at 1400 yen. Hachioji is not only rich in nature, but you can also enjoy shopping and experience various cultures. Why don't you study Japanese in Hachioji?

Finally, all the students entered the country, so we held an entrance ceremony! The Sri Lankan national costume "Osari" and the Nepalese national costume "Sari" were very nice. For the next two years, I will study Japanese to make my dreams come true. Thank you for your support ✨

A 1-minute walk from the school, there was an Asian food shop above the post office! Vegetables and frozen foods were also sold, and the inside of the store was large and very easy to see. I asked the shopkeeper for their recommended sweets. In the photo is Vietnamese soft candy. This soft candy is made with young glutinous rice. It has a slightly sweet and nostalgic taste. Many international students use such overseas grocery stores when they have just entered the country. Hachioji has many such shops in the city, so it can be said that it is a comfortable city for foreigners to live in.

[English/Japanese] Across the street from the amanatto (sweet bean) shop introduced previously is a public bathhouse that is famous in Hachioji. At the bathhouse, vegetables are sold unattended. At this sales place, rare vegetables from the Tama area are sold, and there is a wide variety of them, so it is fun just to look around 😊International students often take advantage of these unattended vegetable sales. The principal of our school also has a farm in Hachioji City, and he is often asked by foreigners to sell their produce. When I asked the students about it, they said it looks fresher and tastier than the ones sold in supermarkets. I encourage everyone to try these rare vegetables that can only be found in the Tama area. Across from the amanato shop I introduced earlier is a public bath that is famous in Hachioji. The public bath sells vegetables unmanned. This sales office sells rare vegetables from the Tama area, and it is fun just to look at them with a wide variety. 😊 The principal of our school also has a farm in Hachioji City, and foreigners often ask him to sell it. When I asked the students, they said that it looked fresher and tastier than the ones sold at the supermarket. Please try the rare vegetables that can only be harvested in the Tama area.

A carp streamer swimming in the Asa River in Hachioji! Tomorrow is Children's Day. I also ate Kashiwa mochi

[English/Japanese] This grocery store is located in front of Nishi-Hachioji Station. This store is currently closed, but there was a poster with messages of support from everyone. So it is a store loved by everyone. I felt very warm when I read it. There are many supermarkets in Nishi-Hachioji, but there are also small stores like this one. Students at our school also said that they sometimes use these small stores because they enjoy the communication that only a small store can provide. They said that when they live alone away from their country, just being able to call out to them makes them feel less sad. It is a greengrocer in front of Nishi Hachioji Station. This shop is currently closed, but there was a poster with messages of support from everyone. It's a restaurant that everyone loves. I felt very warm while reading it. There are many supermarkets in Nishi Hachioji, but there are also small shops like this. Our students also said that they sometimes look forward to the communication unique to small shops. When you live alone away from your country, you feel less lonely just by being talked to.

[English/Japanese] I heard that an onigiri shop with a signboard cat had opened a minute walk from Nishi-Hachioji Station, so I went there. The name of the store is "OLEALL☆". Their additive-free rice balls and brown rice chiffon cake were very delicious. Mikan, the cat manager (19 years old!) was napping on the seat next to us! She was very cute😊Onigiri is very popular among international students. They often buy it at convenience stores, but they often buy it without knowing what is in it. Most of the onigiri are delicious, so they buy them again and again. I heard that a rice ball shop with a signboard cat opened a 1-minute walk from Nishi Hachioji Station, so I went there. The name of the shop is "Oleol ☆". The additive-free pesticide-free rice balls and brown rice chiffon cake were very delicious. Cat store manager Mikan-chan (19 years old!) Was taking a nap in the seat next to me! It was very cute Onigiri 😊 is also very popular with international students. It seems that they often buy it at convenience stores, but they often buy it without knowing what is in it. Most of the rice balls are delicious, so they will buy them again.

It is 😄🌸 a drooping cherry blossom of Hachioji Daikoji Temple It was a splendid 400-year-old tree, and it was ✨ nice to be lit up. While feeling the solemn style of the power spot, I took 📸 a picture while receiving the power. * Click the image to see the original vertical composition!

[English/Japanese] There is a standing sushi restaurant in front of Nishi-Hachioji station, a 2-minute walk from the school. The name is "DARIME SUSHI. DARIME" is written "forty-five" in Chinese characters. It is said that it is a secret word that sushi chefs understand. Standing-only buckwheat noodles are famous, but sushi is rare. I went there at lunch time, but there were only female customers. Sushi is also popular among foreign students. Not only do they eat it, but there are so many students who choose sushi restaurants as their part-time job. Therefore, they learn the names of fish before any Japanese. You will be surprised that they know more about it than their teachers! A 2-minute walk from the school, there is a standing sushi restaurant in front of Nishi Hachioji station. The name is "Darime Sushi". "Darime" is written as "forty-five" in kanji. It seems to be a secret word that sushi restaurants understand. Standing soba noodles are famous, but sushi is rare. I went there at lunchtime, but there were only female customers. Sushi is also popular with international students. Of course, I eat it, but there are also many students who choose a sushi restaurant for their part-time job. Therefore, they learn the names of fish before any Japanese. I'm surprised because I know more than the teachers!

[English/Japanese] Mitsuhashi", a store specializing in natto (sweetened fermented soybeans), is a 15-minute walk from the school. Kanro natto is a Japanese sweet made by boiling down beans in molasses and sprinkling sugar on them. Mitsubashi's natto is very carefully made and has an elegant taste. When I talked about natto to foreign students, they all reacted to the word "natto" and made a disgusted face. There are so many foreigners who do not like natto. But when I explain it properly, they all say they would love to try it. Since there are many bean snacks in Southeast Asia, they are interested in kanro natto. They don't sell kanro natto in midsummer, so if you are interested in kanro natto, please go there before summer. A 15-minute walk from the school is Mitsubashi, a honeydew natto specialty store. Honeydew natto is a Japanese confectionery made by boiling beans in molasses and sprinkling them with sugar. Mitsubashi's honeydew natto was made very carefully and tasted elegant. When I talk to international students about honeydew natto, they react to the word "natto" and make disgusted faces. There are so many foreigners who don't like natto. However, if you explain it properly, everyone will definitely want to try it. There are many bean sweets in Southeast Asia, so they are worried about honeydew natto. It seems that honeydew natto is not sold in midsummer, so if you are interested, please go there before summer.

Cherry blossoms in 🌸 Asakawa in Hachioji Due to heavy rain the night before, a carpet of cherry blossoms was formed after a lot of dispersion! !️

[English] Hachioji had a castle called Katakura Castle 500 years ago. Today, there is no castle, but there is a park that tells the history of the castle. This park is popular among tourists because of its beautiful katakuris (dogtooth violet) flowers in spring. The park is also decorated with statues. The statue in the photo is famous because a kingfisher once perched on its shoulder. Hachioji is not only rich in nature, but also has many historical sites. At school, before visiting such historical places, students have classes to learn about the history of Hachioji. Many students know the word "samurai" but do not know much about the deeper history of the city, so everyone listens intently to what is being said 😊. Hachioji had a castle called Katakura Castle 500 years ago. Currently, there is no castle, but there is a park that tells the history. This park is popular with tourists because of its beautiful fawn lily flowers in spring. Bronze statues are also displayed in the park. The statue in the photo has become famous because there was a kingfisher perched on his shoulder. Hachioji is not only rich in nature, but also has many historical places. Even at school, before visiting such a historical place, there is a class to study the history of Hachioji. Many students know the word "samurai" but do not know about the deep history, so everyone listens 😊 seriously.

[English/Japanese] Cherry blossoms (Someiyoshino) have begun to bloom in Hachioji as well. Miharu-takizakura (cherry blossoms with drooping branches), which bloom a little earlier than Someiyoshino, are now in full bloom. The photo shows the Miharutaki cherry tree at Shinshuji Temple in Katakura, Hachioji. The temple has a history of more than 500 years. It is a 10-minute walk from Keio Katakura Station. Please visit the temple. Hachioji has many old temples and large parks. We tell students where and which flowers are at their best depending on the season. Why don't you also study Japanese in Hachioji where you can enjoy the seasons? Hachioji has also begun to bloom cherry blossoms (Somei Yoshino). The Miharu Falls cherry blossoms (cherry blossoms with branches hanging downward) that bloom a little earlier than the Somei Yoshino cherry trees are now in full bloom. The photo shows the Miharu Falls cherry blossoms at Shinshuji Temple in Katakura, Hachioji. The temple has a history of more than 500 years. It is about a 10-minute walk from Keio Katakura Station. Please come and visit us. Hachioji has many old temples and large parks. I tell my students where and which flowers are best to see depending on the season. Why don't you study Japanese in Hachioji, where you can enjoy the seasons?

[English/Japanese] In front of Nishi-Hachioji Station, anyone who lives in the Tokyo metropolitan area? There is the Kinuta Dental Clinic, which is well-known. At the entrance of the Kinuta Dental Clinic, there is a large karakuri clock, which has become a symbol of Nishi-Hachioji, and every hour you can listen to an interesting mechanism and a story about teeth. Our students are also undergoing dental treatment now. It is said that foreign students are prone to tooth decay due to changes in eating habits and stress. Our school provides health counseling for students so that they can lead a healthy life as an international student. In front of Nishi Hachioji Station, everyone who lives in the Tokyo metropolitan area? There is a "Kinuta Dental" that I know. There is a large karakuri clock at the entrance of the Kinuta Dental Clinic, which is also a symbol of Nishi Hachioji. Every hour, you can listen to interesting tricks and stories about teeth. Our students are also undergoing dental treatment. It is said that international students, changes in eating habits, and stress are prone to tooth decay. At our school, we also consult with students about their health so that they can lead a healthy study abroad life.

[English/Japanese] The most famous gourmet food in Hachioji is ramen. It is so well known among ramen lovers that there is even a type of ramen called "Hachioji Ramen. Unlike other ramen, "Hachioji Ramen" uses a large amount of onions in its broth. In Nishi-Hachioji, there is a Hachioji Ramen restaurant called "Goemon" where people stand in line. It is a 3-minute walk from Nishi-Hachioji Station, so it is very close to the school. I tried it for the first time the other day! It was a very tasty ramen with the sweetness of onion, just like "Hachioji Ramen". The international students at the Japanese language school like ramen very much. Some of the male students in particular eat ramen every day, and it is one of the reasons for their weight gain. (By the way, many female students get fat from eating bread.) The most famous gourmet in Hachioji is ramen. There is a type of ramen called "Hachioji Ramen", which is so well known among ramen lovers. "Hachioji Ramen" is different from other ramen, and a large amount of onion is used in the soup. In Nishi Hachioji, there is a Hachioji ramen shop "Goemon" where there is a line. It is a 3-minute walk from Nishi Hachioji Station, so it is very close to the school. I ate it for the first time the other day! It was a very delicious ramen with the sweetness of onions like "Hachioji Ramen". Japanese international students at the school are very fond of ramen. In particular, some male students eat every day, which is one of the reasons why they gain weight. (By the way, many female students get fat from bread.) ）

[English/Japanese] Tomorrow, February 22, is Cat Day. As previously mentioned, Hachioji is also a cat-friendly town. There are shelter cat cafes around Hachioji and Nishi-Hachioji Stations. There are also many cats in the Hanamachi area, which I introduced earlier, and they are loved by the locals. Today we will introduce you to "shutters with cats painted on them" in Hachioji, the first of which is located in Hanamachi. The second one is a Nepalese curry restaurant located a 2-minute walk from Nishi-Hachioji Station. Both have great designs! Tomorrow, February 22, is "Cat Day". As I mentioned before, Hachioji is also a cat-friendly city. There are protected cat cafes around Hachioji Station and Nishi Hachioji Station. In addition, there are many cats in the area around Hanamachi, which I introduced earlier, and they are loved by locals. Today I would like to introduce the "shutter with a cat drawn" in Hachioji. The first is located in Huajie. The other is a Nepalese curry shop that is a 2-minute walk from Nishi Hachioji Station. Both have wonderful designs!

[English/Japanese] The other day I had lunch at Hokkaido Soup Curry Workshop Seven West, a 3-minute walk from Nishi-Hachioji Station. I chose the sweet curry, but it was quite spicy and I could taste a variety of spices. The chicken on the bone, which was cooked so well that it fell apart when touched with chopsticks, was the best part. Most of the students enrolled in our school are from Southeast Asia. Almost all of them have "curry" in their countries. When I show the students how to make Japanese home-style curry, they are surprised at how different it is from their own country. And they are even more surprised when they learn that there is another type of curry in the same country, Hokkaido Curry! The other day, I had lunch at "Hokkaido Soup Curry Kobo Seven West", which is a 3-minute walk from Nishi Hachioji Station. I chose the curry sweet, but it was quite spicy and very tasty with various spices. The bone-in chicken that was so stewed that it crumbled just by touching it with chopsticks was the best. Most of our students are from Southeast Asia. In most countries there is "curry". When I teach my students how to make Japan's homely curry, they are amazed at the difference from their own country. Also, I am even more surprised to learn that there is a type of Hokkaido curry even in the same Japan!

[English] Setsubun event was held at the school on February 3. Students made ogre masks and enjoyed bean-throwing. Hachioji, where the school is located, has a famous mountain called Mt. Takao, where a Setsubun event is also held every year. In 2020, our school participated in the Setsubun event at Mt. It was a very lively and fun event. On February 3rd, we held a Setsubun event at the school. The students made demon masks and enjoyed mamemaki (bean throwing). In Hachioji, where the school is located, there is a famous mountain called Mt. Takao. Mt. Takao also holds an annual Setsubun event. Our school also participated in the Setsubun event held on Mt. Takao in 2020. It was a very lively and fun event.

[English/Japanese] I would like to introduce "Nekoyaki" at a Japanese confectionery store called "Nekoma" located in "Soto Terrace," a spot that promotes traditional culture in Hachioji, which I wrote about in a previous article. This wagashi is very delicious with lots of sweet bean paste stuck inside. The face of the cat in this "Nekoyaki" is said to be modeled after a beckoning cat (cat figurine) that survived the Hachioji air raid. The beckoning cat is displayed in a store near this "Soto Terrace. There are several places and things related to the war in Hachioji. At our Japanese language school, we sometimes talk about the Hachioji Air Raid in class. Why don't you come and learn Japanese in a city with a rich history? I will introduce "Nekoyaki" at a Japanese confectionery shop called "Nekoma" in the spot "Kuwato Terrace" that transmits the traditional culture of Hachioji, which I wrote about in the previous article. This Japanese confectionery is very tasty with a lot of red bean paste inside. The face of the cat in this "Nekoyaki" is said to be modeled after the beckoning cat (cat figurine) that was burnt out during the Hachioji air raid. Maneki Neko is displayed in a shop near this "Kuwato Terrace". There are several places and things related to the war in Hachioji. Even in our Japanese school, we sometimes take up the Great Hachioji Air Raid in class. Why don't you learn Japanese in a city with a long history?